Page 1 of Finding Parker

PROLOGUE

“In your professional opinion?” I looked out the window and waited for him to respond.

“My opinion would be just that, an opinion. As far as medical facts go, it’s hard to…” the doctor began to explain.

“I did not ask for medical facts. I requested an opinion. Entertain me,” my voice was remarkably calm considering the response I expected to receive.

“I’ve never been one to give opinions, but if you insist,” the phone went silent as he paused for a moment.

The sound of breathing confirmed his presence on the phone. I gazed through the glass and into the courtyard as I waited for a response he was obviously uncomfortable providing. As I scanned the grounds for landscaping imperfections, he began to speak.

“It’s difficult to say with any degree of certainty, but my opinion would be as follows,” he took a shallow breath.

“Foregoing any treatment, I suspect between six months and a year. Treatment, as I have continued to express, could be one hundred percent successful. We have seen great successes with chemotherapy and radiation, especially at this stage. You are well aware of my professional recommendation, and I reserve hope you’ll change your mind,” he paused, hoping for a favorable response.

“Thanks, Doc. Six months it is. I’ll make arrangements holding onto the hope of one hundred and eighty days of splendor. Have you anything else?” I smiled and turned from the window as I glanced at my watch.

“Well, I’d like to go on the record as stating that treatment could be successful. Take some time to consider what may be if you would subject yourself to…”

“I hate to interrupt Doc, but I have a quick question. Treatment aside, what are the chances of living? Let us say…of living through this without treatment? A miracle, if you will?” I asked.

Silence filled the room.

His voice broke the silence and provided the answer I expected, “Zero. There’s not a chance,”

“Duly noted, Doc. Thank you for your time,” I said as I pressed the button on the center of the phone’s screen, ending the call.

Six months.

I needed to get busy. I had a wedding to plan.

PARKER. Throughout my latter years of high school, I had hope of receiving a formal education at a University and becoming one of the many professional adults that were gainfully employed in the United States. Upon my graduation from high school, I received an academic scholarship to the University of California San Diego, and eagerly moved halfway across the United States to attend college in the warmth and comfort of southern California.

I had no expectation, however, of completing college and being one of the three and a half percent of the population which was unemployed. In retrospect, attending UCSD and receiving a business degree was probably not in my best interest. Humanities, Fine Arts, Social Science, or one of the many other options would have suited me more favorably from a marketability standpoint in the eyes of a potential employer.

Being eighteen years old, a senior in high school, and making decisions regarding our future as a professional adult should not be allowed. What we believe we want at an early age and what is practical are two totally different things. We are far too young and inexperienced as a senior in high school to understand our future, and far too stubborn to admit it.

After a month of unemployment, I made yet another great decision regarding my future and began seeking employment through advertisements on Craigslist. Although I had avoided the infamous Craigslist killer, I encountered approximately one hundred scams, half a dozen jobs paying less than minimum wage – in cash, and no less than three offers to act as a male prostitute.

I now sat in the law office of Sullivan, Heicht, and Astur waiting on Mr. Astur to see me. This morning, after two solid weeks of searching the same advertisements, a new ad was posted. The manner in which it was drafted made it very interesting and highly unlikely it was a scam. As I glanced around the lavish digs and waited for Mr. Astur, I was quite satisfied this was real. I opened the advertisement on my phone and read it again, making certain of the requirements.

YOUNG ATTRACTIVE EDUCATED MALE WITH HIGH MORAL VALUE

Employer seeks a young educated male who exhibits a high degree of moral value. Applicant must be between 5’-9 and 5’-11, dark hair, and not a drug user. Occasional consumption of alcohol is acceptable.

Must have current driver’s license free of infractions. Must be a college graduate. Must be right handed. Must be single, yet willing to entertain the thought of being in a relationship. Must be willing to follow directions and capable of being trusted. Applicant, if accepted, will be required to sign a twenty-four month contract of employment.

Job requires seven days a week of availability.

Compensation package: $80,000/year, company provided transportation, business related expenses, and health insurance.

All interested applicants need apply to the email address as provided. Parties of interest will be interviewed accordingly.

I had read the advertisement multiple times. One thing which troubled me was the lack of description regarding the required skill sets. There was no listed expectation of the employer concerning job performance of the employee. I turned my phone off, placed it into my pocket, and let my imagination run wild.

Actor. Hit man. Bodyguard. Personal assistant.

A personal assistant to a Hollywood type could be very entertaining. I allowed thoughts of working as a personal assistant to Hollywood’s finest fill me. Mila Kunis has always been fascinating to me; maybe I would be her assistant. Ashton’s schedule probably prohibited him from spending a sufficient amount of time by Mila’s side. A personal assistant could solve all of her concerns regarding Ashton’s absence. As I closed my eyes and attempted to resurrect an accurate profile of Mila Kunis, I heard footsteps.